Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls

 Optional Iguazu Falls Extension

Iguaza FallsIguazu Falls by Anne Koke

Bordering Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, Iguazu Falls is one of the great natural wonders of the world. They span over 1.6 miles (2.6 km) and are comprised of over 275 distinct falls, some as high as 250 feet. During this 5-day, 4-night tour, we’ll have adequate time to admire the waterfalls as well as to look for the special birds. Target species include the impressive Great Dusky Swift, which roost on the waterfall cliffs. Other birds we will look for include Red-rumped Cacique, Toco Toucan, Chestnut-eared Araçari, Blonde-crested Woodpecker, Rufous Gnateater, Dusky-tailed Antbird, and the most wanted Black-fronted Piping-Guan.

Cost: $1,985 per person, double occupancy; $240 single supplement. Limit 6-8 people. (Surcharge for a smaller group.)

View Iguazu Itinerary here. 

View Birdlist for Iguaza HERE.

For questions and registration about this trip, contact Eric Schroeder at tr***********@********************ce.org

Please do not contact the vendor first.

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Napa River with Dolphin Charters

Napa River with Dolphin Charters

This trip is now full. You may register to be on a waiting list in case of cancellations

Even before leaving the dock, we’ll spot diving ducks and grebes feeding!

Peregrine Falcon

At Mare Island, we’ll pass Ospreys and Egrets tending their nests or roosting in nearby trees. Frequently a pair of Peregrine Falcons can be seen as the boat passes under Highway 37. Upriver, we’ll cruise alongside the Napa/Sonoma marshes with a variety of land and water birds. The river is being restored to a “Living River,” leading to a huge increase in the number and kinds of birds that can be seen close at hand. Raptors are common, and we may see both Bald and Golden Eagles on this trip.

Departs from the Vallejo Marina. Please arrive 30 minutes before departure time. Participants will be emailed directions and other logistics one week before the trip.

Dolphin Cruises requires that participants have completed a full course of vaccination and booster shots. Please bring a mask.  

Registration will close at 11pm on April 20, 2022.

Registrants: If you have any questions email rn*****@********************ce.org or call Ryan at (510) 227-6190. …

Madagascar Magic

Madagascar Magic

 Embark on a two week Madagascar birds, lemurs and other wildlife extravaganza, with an optional Masoala Peninsula pre-trip, Sep. 26-Oct. 1, 2022!
 

The best word to describe Madagascar’s wildlife is unique. The planet’s fourth largest island, Madagascar is often called the eighth continent because it’s nothing like Africa despite being so close to it. Much of Madagascar’s uniqueness stems from its high rate of endemism—not just on a species level but on a family level. Endemic bird families include grounds rollers (all of which you have a chance to see on this trip), mesites, couas, vangas, asities, and the Cuckoo Roller—it’s both a species and its own family! This endemism extends to mammals we’ll encounter, which include a wide variety of lemurs (Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur, Indri, Golden Bamboo Lemur) and possibly tenrecs (you might want to look this one up!) And let’s not overlook the numerous species of chameleons, too, and even unusual insects like the Giraffe Weevil.

Madagascar is also a country of contrasts and these contrasts include its various ecosystems. On the main trip, we’ll visit two different highland rainforest locations, the grassy plains and mixed forest of the country’s central plateau, and the bizarre spiny forest of the southwest. Those who opt to join the  Masoala National Park extension will encounter a lowland rainforest with its own additional unique birds, mammals, and reptiles, and a beautiful beach where you’ll have the option to swim. 

Price of main trip (14 days)

5670 euros per person sharing, which includes a 300 euro donation to GGAS. Single supplement 730 euros. Plus cost of one internal flight. 

Price of Masoala extension (5 additional nights)

If you would like to convert the local currency to USD, please click here. 

Click here for a full itinerary.

Click here for description of travel in Madagascar. 

Click here for general information on birding tours from Birding Ecotours.

For questions or to sign up, contact Eric Schroeder at travelprogram@goldengateaudubon.org. Please do not contact the Trip Vendor first.

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Mines Road

Mines Road

Enjoy a full day exploring Lake Del Valle and Mines and San Antonio Valley Roads in this still-empty corner of the Bay Area. Our route will take us along isolated roads that run through varied habitat from Livermore through the mountains of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties. We might see Phainopepla, Greater Roadrunner, Lewis’s Woodpecker, and migrant warblers, along with the usual oak woodland and scrub species.

Greater Roadrunner by Jessie Eastland

The road is narrow and turnouts are short so we are limiting the trip to 20 participants. Carpooling will be mandatory. It will be dangerous if we caravan with more than five cars.

This trip will require carpooling. Participants will need to have a complete course of vaccination and booster shots and should bring a mask.  

Pack a lunch, water, and snacks. There are no services (including restrooms) on Mines Road unless the Junction Cafe is open, which is not dependable. Plan on being self-sufficient.We will send trip details to confirmed participants. Contact the leaders if you have questions.

Registration will close at 11pm on April 12, 2022.

Registrants: If you have any questions email rn*****@********************ce.org or call Ryan at (510) 227-6190. …

Behind the scenes at Pacheco Marsh

Behind the scenes at Pacheco Marsh

The Lower Walnut Creek Restoration Project restores and enhances nearly 200 acres of habitat, including four miles of creeks and channels. The project serves as a model for similar tidal baylands restoration efforts elsewhere around the Bay. Like most wetlands in California, this area has been heavily damaged over the years. It also is extremely valuable for wildlife and managing water.

This is a unique opportunity to visit a major restoration site immediately after completion of earthwork. New native plantings will be taking root and we will view the freshly cut channels where the creek was reconnected to Suisun Bay tidal influence after being disconnected since the ’60s. The marsh to upland habitat gradient will increase ecological resiliency in the face of sea level rise. Future public trail access is planned as part of the restoration, so we can look forward to adding this as a birding destination.

The site is at Pacheco Marsh, where Walnut Creek flows into Suisun Bay. We’ll likely see White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, marsh songbirds such as Common Yellowthroat, and we’ll look and listen for rails. Special status subspecies, including Suisun Song Sparrow, also inhabit the site. Note that as this is a new restoration, the bird population will be smaller than it will be when the plantings have grown up, but this is an opportunity to see an exciting restoration site at its very beginning. 

See: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/5784/Lower–Walnut-Creek-Restoration-Project  and

https://jmlt.org/2021/10/29/last-levee-breaks-at-pacheco-marsh-restoration/

We may walk up to a mile on a flat gravel road. The Flood Control District’s carpool van will travel down the road with us so you can ride or walk as preferred. The restoration contractors have porta-potties on site which may be available to participants. Otherwise, the only nearby restroom is the vault toilet at Waterbird Preserve, about 1.5 miles away. Please bring water.

This trip will require carpooling. Participants will need to have a complete course of vaccination and booster shots and should bring a mask.  

Registration will close at 11pm on April 10, 2022.

Registrants: If you have any questions email rn*****@********************ce.org or call Ryan at (510) 227-6190. …